Dear Friends

In the notices this week:

• Services this Sunday

• Alpha Courses this Autumn

• Nexus talk about the Farncombe Community Garden

• Marriage MOT course

• Staycation events in The Octagon

• Save the Date for the St Mark’s 90th Thanksgiving Service

• Holiday Club

• Other dates for the diary

This Sunday

Keep listening and engaging
Reading Acts 11: 1-18

We continue the sermon series: Build on a Rock - based on the life of the disciple Peter. The readings for each week, and a short topic descriptor can be picked up at Minster services this Sunday, and can be printed here.

Services

9am Choral Eucharist
Church Street (St Peter & St Paul’s)

10am Classic Service [HC]
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

10am Morning Worship
Hambledon (St Peter’s)

10am All Age Service
Franklyn Road (St Mark’s)

10.30am Muddy Church (All Age)
Jack Phillips Memorial Park, between the bandstand and the cloister
BYO cup for coffee and hot choc. Dogs and all welcome.

6pm Evening Worship
Brighton Road (Busbridge)

Look up services for next Sunday and find more information about congregations and service times on ChurchSuite, or the Sundays page on the web site. If you are on a rota, ChurchSuite will ping you a reminder by email, but you can also use the ChurchSuite app to check yourself.

We’re running Alpha!
Weds evenings 25th Sept – 27th Nov & Thurs lunchtimes 26th Sept – 28th Nov

Rev Lesley Mason is leading the courses this Autumn, and we’d like everyone to consider whether they would like to join in as a participant, or as a member of the team who helps lead, host and cater for the 12 sessions. Look out for invitations, posters and social media posts and please share them and encourage people along.

To find out more or register for a place go to https://godalmingminster.org/alpha

The sign up button takes you to the Wednesday evening course, but gives the option to sign up for Thursday lunchtimes instead.

To volunteer to help host, cook or set up please use the form above.

Thanks to the two heroes that came forward after our appeal for new volunteers in the Yew Tree Café. There is room for more, particularly on Tuesday afternoons and Fridays. No experience required as full training will be given! Volunteers do everything and anything from serving tables, taking orders, making drinks and sandwiches, clearing up and cleaning,  and of course talking to our lovely customers and giving a listening and caring ear as needed.

If your skills are in baking then we'd love you to join our very small band of bakers to produce the yummy cakes we serve - all done in the Old Rectory kitchen with full instructions, equipment and ingredients.

If you can't commit to a full half day then other options are available - do ask us! Or fill in the volunteer form. We'd love to have you on board.
The Café Leadership team

Coming Up

July

Nexus, 8pm on Thursday 4th July
Nexus meets on first Thursdays of the month, and this month’s guest speaker is Dr Martin Brunet, Trustee of Farncombe Community Garden, on the topic of Growing Community Wellbeing. The General Election does clash, but we can vote earlier and get home in time to watch the exit polls on TV!  In the meantime, come and enjoy an hour or so socialising and hearing Martin speak about the development of Farncombe Community Garden, which is our Nexus charity for 2024.   Come along to find out more and discover how we might get involved! More about Nexus and this event >

Men’s Breakfast, 8.15am this coming Saturday, 6th July, in the Old Rectory.
Please join us for our monthly feast of food for the body and for the mind. After our usual fare of porridge, toast and coffee etc, we will move on our time of discussion.

A lot has happened since we last met, not just in the UK (where by Saturday we will know the outcome of the general election) but also in France, Europe more generally, and of course also in the USA. Personal and political meltdowns seem to be the order of the day, and we will reflect generally on what has been happening, noting that polarisation of thought seems to be a common theme.

All Minster Men are welcome, and if you know of anyone who you think might like to come, please bring them along...

Alan & Dudley, for Godalming Minster Men's Group

Yew Tree Café - Closed Sat 6 July
While we are running without a café manager, there are a couple of shifts that are without a staff member to lead. The cafe will therefore be closed next Sat 6 Jul, and also on Sat 3 August.

Saturday 20 July Marriage MOT evening - Make a good thing even better!  Join us for a fantastic opportunity for couples build and enrich their relationship, however long you've been married. More details >

The Lammas Handbell Ringers invite you to a concert and supper on Sat 27th July at 6.30pm. “Our Dancing Day overlooking the River Wey” will take place in The Octagon at Godalming Minster Church Street. Tickets £12 including a 2-course supper are available from Helen 07760 494 703 or Barbara 01483 415600. During Staycation The Lammas Handbell Ringers are holding an Introduction to Handbell Ringing on Thursday 8th August at 4-5pm or 6-7pm. It’s FREE, but numbers will be limited so please contact Barbara to reserve your space.

Also in the Octagon during Godalming Staycation, Janet Davies is holding a "Sew Simple" hand embroidery session on Weds 7 August from 9 until 12 noon. All equipment and materials provided. Tea/coffee, cake and crafting. Telephone Janet on 07967 683443 to book a place. Limited to 12 people (under 18 to be accompanied by adult). Free but donations welcome to help cover costs. Any profit will go to Godalming Minster.

August

90th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at Franklyn Road - 8th August at 3pm
St Mark’s Church is 90 years old this year. The Foundation stone was laid on 8th August 1934. We are holding a Thanksgiving Service on Thursday 8th August at 3pm followed by a cream tea. We would love for people across Godalming Minster to be there to give thanks for the history of St Mark’s church and more recently its community centre, and to pray for its future serving the Franklyn Road area.

Holiday Club 28-30 August
Sign up now for the first ever Godalming Minster Summer Holiday Club! It’s for primary age children in school years R-6. Invitations are going to the our church schools next week, and spaces are limited this year.

You are never too old to look for the greatest treasure, and this Holiday Club will be as much fun for older members of the crew as our young buccaneers. If you’d like to join the adventure, please get in touch with Jenny Lansdowne e: jenny.lansdowne@godalmingminster.org.

What’s on Where

See the events coming up next and look up dates further ahead in the full Minster Calendar.

Church Family News

One of the young adults in our church family is looking for a room or house share where she can live affordably and independently. The location needs to be suitable for a non-driver, with walkable access to public transport and amenities. If you can think of any possible options, please contact the office.

Marcus and his family will be saying farewell at the Contemporary Service on Sunday 21st July. If you would like to contribute to a leaving gift, please drop it into the Minster Office at the Old Rectory, or use Donate to give something online. Please include ref: Marcus.

Job Vacancies

We have taken the decision to re-advertise the posts of Children and Families Pastor (4-11’s) and Yew Tree Café manager, and are invited applications by the end of July. Details can be found on the vacancies page here. Please be praying for the right people to fill these special roles, and help share the ads.

Mission Update

Foodbank Update

URGENT LIST

• Tuna 

• Pasta sauces

• UHT semi skimmed milk

• Tinned Peas / Carrots and Tomatoes

• Biscuits and crackers

• Orange/Blackcurrant squash

• Orange/Apple 1 litre juice cartons

• Tea bags/Coffee/Hot chocolate

The latest shopping list can be found here. Please take a look and add a few items to your next shop.

Karen, the community centre coordinator, updates the shopping list each month with items most needed. You can find the latest shopping list for March on the Foodbank page.

Elsewhere

The National Trust Munstead Wood are running Chance to Chat sessions at Godalming Museum from 10-12 noon on the third Saturdays of the month. More details >

Life Issues 2024 - a programme of talks and course run by Godalming Baptist Church.

Can we pray for you?

***Please send prayer requests to prayer@godalmingminster.org***

Mid-week Prayer Gatherings

9am Morning Prayer
9am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with Rev Sheila Samuels at Godalming Minster Franklyn Road.

Monday Morning Reflections on Zoom
If you would like to start your week in quiet reflection over a passage of scripture do join us at 8.45am on Mondays using the link above - you will be very welcome. For any further information please contact: Gertrud Sollars or Shan Hallam.

Wednesdays at 9am:
Morning Prayer at Godalming Minster Hambledon
Morning Prayer on Zoom via link above.

Community & Fellowship

Nexus meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, with talks and activities for church members and the community. More about Nexus.

Ladies’ Drinks take place every 1st Friday of the month, 7.30PM at the The Pavilion by Howling Owl.

The Men’s Group meets for breakfast at 8.15am on the 1st Saturdays of the month. See the calendar event for details.

Hambledon Coffee Morning and Hearing Aid Clinic takes place 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10.30am.

The 2024 Prime Time programme is now available. For all events and details, see Prime Time.

Get Involved / Join a team

We're passionate about people feeling like they're a part of our church family and one of the best places to do that is as part of a team.

No matter your age or experience, there's a team that you can join, serving alongside others and getting to know people better in the church. You can find out about all our opportunities to serve and offer your time and talents on the Join a Team page.

Don’t forget about…

MyChurchSuite is an app for members of Godalming Minster to check dates, rotas, church emails, look up church members and sign up to events (without having to enter your details again and again!). Contact the Minster Office if you’ve lost your login details or would like to request an account. See more instructions.

The Yew Tree Café at Godalming Minster Brighton Road is open 8.30am-4pm weekdays in term time, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays, and 9.30am-4pm during school holidays. There’s wi-fi and power for those that want to work, and Prime Time hosts a drop in session for anyone who’d like a coffee and a chat every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

PASTORAL CARE & PRAYER MINISTRY

If you, or someone you know at church, are in need of support and care, please contact Sandra Wilkin via the Minster office, or e: pastoral@godalmingminster.org.

To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@godalmingminster.org or call 01483 421267.